Tea Auction sees stronger demand for better grades
Saturday, 05 July 2025 - 6:33 pm
he auction offerings totalled 6.4 million kilogrammes (M/Kgs), marginally lower to the 6.5 M/Kgs on offer the previous week.
Following the Iran-Israel ceasefire, a greater degree of stability was witnessed in the market and an upward trend in prices all round.
The Ex-Estate offerings totalled 0.83 M/Kgs and here again, marginally lower to the 0.86 M/Kgs on offer the previous week. The overall quality of teas on offer was slightly preferable to last.
Improved demand was seen, particularly for the better Weste s, which appreciated by Rs.50-100 per kilogramme and more. The prices at the lower end of the market for the BOPs were weak and were firm to Rs.50 per kilogramme easier in most instances. The corresponding BOPFs often appreciated by a similar margin, widening the price parity at the lower end between the BOP/BOPFs greatly in favour of the latter. The Nuwara Eliya BOP/BOPFs were mostly unsold against the backdrop of weak quality. The Uda Pussellawas were firm and easier, whilst the Uva BOP/BOPFs were firm and dearer and here again, particularly for the BOPF grade.
The CTC teas – BP1s, had hardly any offerings. The PF1s – High and Mid Growns, were firm and up to Rs.50 per kilogramme dearer for the better teas, whilst the Low Growns continued to sell well at firm to marginally dearer rates.
It was heartening to witness the better teas realising substantial price gains vis-à-vis their poorer counterparts and a significant price parity between the two would certainly be of encouragement to the producers of good quality teas.
Selective buying was seen on account of the shippers to the UK and continent. The shippers to Japan, China and South Africa were reasonably active, whilst the shippers to the CIS and Middle East lent good support.
From a global perspective, there appears to be a dearth of good quality teas vis-à-vis the plainer/poorer counterparts and in these circumstances, with the overall volumes showing a decline, the tea prices are likely to remain buoyant in the forthcoming sales.
The Low Growns totalled approximately 2.5 M/Kgs. All categories met with good demand.
In the Leafy and Semi-Leafy catalogues, the Select Best and Best BOP1s were firm to dearer, whilst the balance together with the bolder varieties sold around last levels. The well-made OP1s appreciated, whilst the balance eased. The well-made Ops, together with the cleaner Below Best and shorter varieties were dearer. However, the balance together with the mixed/open varieties were irregular. The well-made OPAs were dearer, whilst the balance maintained at last levels. The Select Best and Best PEKs were firm to dearer, whilst the balance together with the mixed/open varieties was easier. The teas at the bottom sold around last levels. The well-made PEK1s appreciated, whilst the balance sold around last levels.
In the Tippy catalogue, the well-made FBOPs together with the cleaner Below Best and cleaner teas at the bottom appreciated, whilst the balance was firm on last. The Select Best FF1s were firm, whilst the Best and Below Best varieties together with the cleaner teas at the bottom were dearer. The balance sold around last levels.
In the Premium catalogue, the Very Tippy teas together with the Best and Below Best varieties met with good demand and were dearer, whilst the balance too appreciated to a lesser extent.
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